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William “Smokey” Robinson, Jr. (born February 19, 1940) is an American R&B and soul singer and songwriter. Robinson is noted for being one of the primary figures associated with the Motown record label, second only to the company’s founder, Berry Gordy. As both a member of Motown group The Miracles and a solo artist, Robinson recorded seventy Top 40 hits for Motown between 1959 and 1990, and also served as the company’s Vice President from 1961 to 1988.

Early years and formation of the Miracles

Robinson was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and was nicknamed “Smokey” as a child, because of his love of westerns. The name originally came when an uncle (who would take a young Robinson to see westerns) gave him the name “Smokey Joe”, Robinson began being called “Smokey” whilst in his teens. In 1955, Robinson founded a group he called “The Five Chimes” with his best friend Ronnie White, and Northern High School classmates Pete Moore, Clarence Dawson, and James Grice. By 1957, the group was called “The Matadors” and included cousins Bobby Rogers and Claudette Rogers in place of Dawson and Grice. With Robinson as lead singer, the Matadors began touring the local Detroit venues. In 1958, Robinson met songwriter Berry Gordy, Jr., who co-wrote for them the single “Got a Job,” an answer song to The Silhouettes’ hit single “Get A Job.” The group renamed itself The Miracles, and issued singles on both End Records and Chess Records before Robinson suggested to Berry Gordy that he start a label of his own.

Wish the music industry demanded real talent like it used to..
I mean where are the Marvin Gayes, Barry Whites, Smokey Robinsons, Teddy Pendergrass', Roy Ayers' of my generation? Nowhere. Music has died along time ago. And the only way I can revive it is by listening to it on my ipod and computer cause I sure as hell won't hear these guys out in the public like Lady Gaga.

He was one of my favorite artists back in the fourth grade when he was with the miracles. He has pretty good stuff as a solo artist, and I still respect his work, contributions and legacy in the world of music. Heck, he should win an Oscar for crying out loud!